Islamabad, December 11, 2018 (PPI-OT): The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions was held on Tuesday. Chaired by Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi, the meeting was attended by Senator Aurangzeb Khan, Senator Haji Momin Khan Afridi, Senator Hidayat ullah, Senator Hilal Ur Rehman, Senator Sajjad Hussain Turi, Senator Lt.Gen.(R) Salahuddin Tirmizi and senior officers from the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions with all concerned.
While discussing the point of public importance raised by Senator Aurangzeb Khan regarding delay in rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in FATA, Senator Aurangzeb was of the view that most homes that were destroyed in the operation have not received compensation. Similarly in the case of schools, he said that 80 percent are shut. Senator Aurangzeb Khan demanded to know the percentage of PKR 884 billion for development being spent on FATA. He recommended that a committee be formed to monitor the on-ground situation in this region.
Deliberating over saving /unutilized funds for SDGs for the year 2018 in Khyber District, the Committee stressed the need to continue development work in the area, as per availability of funds. The Committee was informed that PKR 37.5 Crore are being held in unutilized funds. It was asserted that after the dissolution of the FATA Development Working Party (FWDP), approval of which was imperative to continue development work with unutilized funds as per need, the areas of FATA newly merged with KPK have fallen victim to massive financial problems.
The Committee recommended that if funds are available then these must be used to resolve issues related to water, sanitation, and public health. It was recommended that a small survey be conducted on the needs of the people of FATA and a report be submitted to the House. Senator Aurangzeb Khan suggested that it was imperative that the Committee visit all FATA agencies and engage with its people to enquire about their needs. Senator Hilal Ur Rehman, stressed the need for the terms of reference for the 10 year FATA merger plan to be presented.
About the future of the Khasadar Force, after merger with KPK, the Committee suggested that a system be developed so that they could be merged easily with the KPK police. It was suggested that a sub-committee be formed for this. Showing concern about lack of law enforcement agencies in FATA, Senator Hilal Ur Rehman enquired about the measures being taken by the government to rectify the issue and end the confusion.
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H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
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